Published
05-24-2017
In 2015, the Tucson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ranked ninth out of 12 comparable western MSAs in the labor force participation rate for the working age population (25-54). Tucson posted a 2.4 percentage point increase in the rate since 2000. The labor force participation rate is an important gauge of the health and potential output of the economy. Included in the labor force is both employed persons and the unemployed who are actively seeking employment. A higher rate indicates that workers believe businesses are hiring for jobs that are worth their time and effort. Given the recent announcements of new companies moving to Tucson we may see Tucson’s labor force participation rate improve in the future.
